Can I claim??

government_slave

Hi all

Looking for info

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in Feb 2011 and have now been told that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis in both feet.
Due to very bad dizziness and being unable to bend, for the last yr I am not able to dress my lower half nor can I put my bra on, hubby does it for me. I am not able to shower myself nor can I towel dry either. I cannot walk very far these days either because my feet are so bad also I get so tired its unbelievable.

I am a full time carer to my son which is hard these days but I plod on [somehow]. Hubby is brill so are my parents taking their grandson every other weekend so that i can rest.

Anyway getting to the point a friend of mine told me that I should try and claim DLA but I didnt think I could because I get Carers Allowance.

Is she right or am I? Also I don't want them taking my son and putting him in a home if I try and claim and they say I cant cope because of my conditions.

Any advice very much appreciated

GS

MrsManda

I don't think there are any rules about claiming DLA while claiming CA for someone else. I'm sure there have been people on here who have received DLA while claiming CA. Your DLA claim will be judged on your own needs.

No one is going to take your son away from you just because you've claimed DLA.

However if your health is deterioating it may worth you asking for a household assessment from social services to see what extra support your family may be entitled to receive. This does not mean anyone is going to take your son away from you.

[Deleted User]

perfectly legit to claim dla for yourself and carers for looking after someone else,as long as the reasons dont clash i.e. you claim dla for a bad back and part of the caring would involve lifting someone
as for the parent issue 1000`s of parents get dla

rogerblack

Depending on what level of DLA, and if your husband works - he may also be eligible to claim carers allowance for looking after you.

Cpt.Scarlet

Whilst it is possible to claim DLA and Carers Allowance at the same time, you need to ensure that you are actually able to meet the requirements of both benefits. So, as examples, are you still able to provide 35 hours of care a week, or, preparing meals as part of your caring activities will be at odds with your own DLA care needs.

rogerblack

Cpt.Scarlet wrote: »

, preparing meals as part of your caring activities will be at odds with your own DLA care needs.

Preparing meals 'normally' - if your prepared meals are microwaved, and the sole effort involves getting them out of the freezer, and putting them in the microwave, this would not count as cooking as far as the DLA test goes.
_however_ - if you can safely cook a meal from ingredients - then you're not entitled to low-rate care. (on this ground)

davsidipp

government_slave wrote: »

Hi all

Looking for info

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in Feb 2011 and have now been told that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis in both feet.
Due to very bad dizziness and being unable to bend, for the last yr I am not able to dress my lower half nor can I put my bra on, hubby does it for me. I am not able to shower myself nor can I towel dry either. I cannot walk very far these days either because my feet are so bad also I get so tired its unbelievable.

I am a full time carer to my son which is hard these days but I plod on [somehow]. Hubby is brill so are my parents taking their grandson every other weekend so that i can rest.

Anyway getting to the point a friend of mine told me that I should try and claim DLA but I didnt think I could because I get Carers Allowance.

Is she right or am I? Also I don't want them taking my son and putting him in a home if I try and claim and they say I cant cope because of my conditions.

Any advice very much appreciated

GS

im not being rude but how do you manage to be a carer when you need help yourself if i was looking at your claim i would query that.

rogerblack

davsidipp wrote: »

im not being rude but how do you manage to be a carer when you need help yourself if i was looking at your claim i would query that.

My usual answer to this is to - for example - imagine two people, one with severe mental issues, one with severe physical issues.
They could both provide care to each other in a significant and meaningful way, that the other could not easily do without.

davsidipp

rogerblack wrote: »

My usual answer to this is to - for example - imagine two people, one with severe mental issues, one with severe physical issues.
They could both provide care to each other in a significant and meaningful way, that the other could not easily do without.

but what the op is saying is physical in their case so that blows it out of the water.

government_slave

Hi all

Thanks to everyone that replied. I will certainly think long and hard before I rock any boat.

im not being rude but how do you manage to be a carer when you need help yourself if i was looking at your claim i would query that

To clear this up I only need help with dressing and showering because I cant bend I have problems with my back and legs. Walking is diffucult and so is the fatigue side of fibro but i manage coz he goes to a day centre during the week [I spend most of that time resting]
It does not stop me helping my son and doing what I have always done because he is autistic and has learning disablities he has no physical problems. I dont even take the full medication my GP wants me to take because I need to be alert at night time and he gave me something to make me sleep.

Thanks again to everyone. I doubt after reading up I probably wont bother I would rather suffer than have my son taken into residential care for the sake of a few pounds. [even if the money would have been handy because i cant walk anywhere]

GS